Energy-Efficient Homes for Sale

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EAST BUFFALO TWP. -- The Union County Housing Authority has a couple of energy-efficient homes for sale that will save the environment and you, some money.

For sale signs are up outside a new duplex on West Market Street near Lewisburg.

A project of the Union County Housing Authority, a federal grant helped make the homes green, to save energy and money.

"Well with energy costs rising so dramatically, the constituents that we serve are the folks who can benefit the most from having low energy costs," said Bruce Quigley with the Union County Housing Authority.

The homes were built in about two months using many eco-friendly materials.

The unoccupied homes were monitored for a year to check energy-efficiency. UCHA officials said electric heating and cooling bills averaged only about $50 a month.

"These houses are significantly more energy-efficient than an Energy Star house. An Energy Star house is 15 percent more energy-efficient than a house just built to code. Our houses are 50 percent more efficient than an Energy Star house," added Quigley.

Outside, the siding is recycled steel. A special heating system and overhangs help reduce costs to heat and cool the home.

"Orienting the building properly, having the overhangs be sized properly so you don’t get heat-gain from the sun in the summer, and you do get it a little in the winter when you want it," said Quigley.